How do I set up the triangle choke from guard?
The triangle choke requires getting one of your opponent arms inside and one outside your legs. Common setups include breaking their posture and swimming your leg over their shoulder, pulling one arm across with a cross grip while pushing the other, or transitioning from a failed armbar. The key is creating an angle perpendicular to your opponent.
Detailed Explanation
The triangle choke is one of the most effective guard attacks but requires proper setup. The golden rule is one arm in and one arm out. Any time your opponent has an asymmetric arm position in your guard, a triangle is potentially available. The most basic setup involves gripping their same-side wrist and pulling it across your body, then shooting your leg over their opposite shoulder. From closed guard, break their posture first, then attack. If they posture up, the triangle becomes harder. Hip bump or flower sweep setups naturally lead to triangles when defended. From open guard, collar-sleeve control creates triangle setups by pulling the sleeve side in while pushing with your foot on the collar side hip. Once you lock the triangle, cut an angle by pivoting your hips perpendicular to your opponent. This is the most commonly missed detail. Squeeze with your thighs while pulling their head down. Overhooking the trapped arm prevents them from posturing and tightens the choke.
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